By Joshua Yousouph
In a bid to decongest and eradicate corrupt practices at the nation’s ports corridors, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has advised state and non-state actors to employ the use of technology in the collection of tolls for revenue generation.
The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Mr Emmanuel Jime who spoke at a press briefing at the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Headquarters in Lagos on Tuesday, noted that one of the major causes of congestion along port access roads is the presence of individuals from the local government and maritime associations collecting tolls around the port corridors.
Jime advised that as much as the collection of tolls for revenue generation is lawful, automation should be introduced to guarantee efficiency in the ease of doing business and avoiding conflicts amongst agencies.
Speaking earlier in his welcome speech, Jime informed that the idea behind “Operation Free the Ports’ Corridors” by the Enlarged Presidential Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) was to rid the ports corridors of inefficiencies and corrupt practices in order to enhance ease of doing business. He stated that the meeting was to provide a status update on the operation so far and for the task team to receive feedbacks with a view to strategizing for sustainability.
The Executive Secretary said “the first phase of the exercise which covered a distance of 2.6 km from the Lagos Port Complex Gate Apapa to Ijora was adjudged to be a success by many industry players and commuters that used the road daily. Following the encouragement of what was achieved and in commitment to the mandate, the task team launched the second phase on June 24th, 2022.
As announced during the flag-off ceremony of the second phase, the area of coverage stretched from Apapa – Tin-Can Coconut – Berger Yard – Mile 2-Orile-Ijora axis and back to Apapa which is a distance of about 15.6km. These roads were littered with shanties and trucks parked indiscriminately thereby causing untold hardships to other commuters and creating opportunity for extortions and other forms of corrupt practices by both state and non-state actors.
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Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), Mr. Moses Fadipe reiterated that the activities of the Task Team which started in April 2022 has recorded great success in clearing the port corridor. He also noted that through constant sensitization and enforcement, the Task Team has been able to eliminate congestion and corrupt practices from the port access roads to promote efficiency in ease of doing business at the ports.
On his part, a Director from the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olayinka S.O noted that the Lagos State is working on ensuring alternative ways of collecting tolls on the roads by the Lagos State Parks and Garages Management.
While commending the Task Team, Olayinka pledged the state government’s support and cooperation in ensuring the Task team achieve their mandate by the Federal Government.
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